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to know what to do。 This is why sages say the best idea to follow the Tao and not try to analyze every little detail。 Logical； rational analyses can； and often does； yield the wrong conclusion； but the true Tao will never lead you astray。
Specifically； the Tao would guide you as follows：
1。 Be forthright； correct； and just in your actions； but do not become self…righteous and condemn those who fail to live up to your standards in a scathing way。
2。 Be honest in your dealings； resist the temptation of briberies； and maintain the integrity of your honor。 However； do not seek to impose the same discipline upon others in a piercing way。
3。 Be direct and straightforward in your communication。 Say what you mean and mean what you say； but keep in mind that this does not mean being unfeeling and cold…blooded。 Be strict with yourself but forgiving with others。
4。 Be enlightened； see things clearly for what they are； not what you wish them to be。 You can have a light that illuminates those around you； without turning it on them and blind them with its glare。
59
In governing people and serving Heaven
There is nothing like conservation
Only with conservation is it called submitting early
Submitting early is called emphasis on accumulating virtues
Accumulating virtues means there is nothing one cannot overcome
When there is nothing that one cannot overcome
One's limits are unknown
The limitations being unknown； one can possess sovereignty
With this mother principle of power； one can be everlasting
This is called deep roots and firm foundation
The Tao of longevity and lasting vision
When it comes to serving the natural laws of Heaven； managing others as well as yourself； there is nothing like the principle of conservation … the principle of valuing and using efficiently your time； energy； mind and spirit。
The best way to conserve your inner resources is to surrender to the flow of the Tao。 It is in your best interest to give up rebelling and moving against the flow as soon as possible。 The sooner you stop wasting time and energy in useless debates and intellectualizations； the sooner you can start accumulating virtues … positive things and life…affirming values … in your life。
When you accumulate virtues by directing your time； energy； mind and spirit toward worthwhile cultivation； there are no obstacles you cannot overcome。 The focus that is possible when you consciously conserve and direct your inner resources makes you powerful spiritually。 It allows you to become； quite literally； an unlimited individual。
Once you move beyond the limits that hamper most people； you gain power over yourself； as well as a natural authority that people respond to。 You are able to influence them effortlessly because their respect for you flows naturally。 This is the mother principle of true authority。 Unlike the transient power achieved through force or domination； it is a positive force that lasts。
With this lasting power； you'll have a firm foundation upon which to build harmonious relationships with others。 This positive force takes root deeply in the hearts of people and also in yourself。 It is the Tao of longevity … a vision of everlasting harmony and leadership。
60
Ruling a large country is like cooking a small fish
Using the Tao to manage the world
Its demons have no power
Not only do its demons have no power
Its gods do not harm people
Not only do its gods not harm people
The sages also do not harm people
They both do no harm to one another
So virtue merges and returns
Governing a great country is like cooking a small fish。 If you use too much heat； you will overcook it； if you keep turning the fish over and over； it will fall apart。 Similarly； if a ruler constantly meddles in the affairs of the people with excessive rules and regulations； the country becomes chaotic and everyone suffers。
When the Tao has arrived and is present in the world； peace and harmony prevail so that the demons of the world lose the power to exert their negative influence。 Similarly； when the Tao is present in your heart； your inner demons have no power over you。
It is not that the demons are rendered powerless by the prevailing peace of the Tao； but that their powers have no harmful effect on people。 Similary； a true sage isn't someone who harbors absolutely no negativity in the heart； but someone who sees that negativity clearly so that it cannot exert a harmful influence on life。
The gods of the world also keep to their proper places and do not disrupt the people's lives。 When we apply this concept to practical； everyday cultivation； it means the wisdom of the Tao prevents one from taking foolish actions out of positive intentions … actions that； although well…intended； still end up making things more complicated and more difficult。
Not only do the gods refrain from harming people out of misguided benevolence； the sages also refrain from meddling in people's lives。 Acting in congruence with the Tao； the sages relax； let things be； and simply enjoy the process。
This gives us a world where gods and demons do no harm； whether to one another or anyone else。 The rulers and the people also coexist peacefully。 The goodness of this worldly manifestation lets the virtue and inherent power in everyone merge together and return to the Tao。
Notes
In this chapter as well as other chapters of the Tao Te Ching； governing a country serves as a metaphor for running one's life。 Thus； we can also apply 〃cooking a small fish〃 to practical； everyday Tao cultivation。
Just as constantly changing rules and regulations disrupt people's lives； in governing your own life you also need to be careful not to second…guess yourself too much。 People who succeed tend to make their decisions quickly and change their minds slowly； if at all。 Conversely； people who fail in life are the ones who decide slowly but change their minds at the drop of a hat。
Once you cultivate the Tao to a certain point and get in touch with your inner self； you learn to trust and rely on the power of your intuition。 It is capable of leading you to the correct decision in the blink of an eye。 By contrast； dwelling on too much information has a way of leading to analysis paralysis rather than better decisions。
Next time you have a hunch or a gut feeling； go with it。 The more you use your intuition； the more powerful and accurate it will become。
61
The large country is like the lowest river
The converging point of the world
The receptive female of the world
The female always overcomes the male with serenity
Using serenity as the lower position
Thus if the large country is lower than the small country
Then it can take the small country
If the small country is lower than the large country
Then it can be taken by the large country
Thus one uses the lower position to take
The other uses the lower position to be taken
The large country only wishes to gather and protect people
The small country only wishes to join and serve people
So that both obtain